Neurotrophins are not required for normal embryonic development of olfactory neurons

Neurons of the vertebrate olfactory epithelium (OE) regenerate continuously throughout life. The capacity of these neurons to regenerate and make new and precise synaptic connections in the olfactory bulb provides a useful model to study factors that may control or mediate neuronal regeneration. Expression and in vitro studies have suggested potential roles for the neurotrophins in the olfactory system. To directly examine whether neurotrophins are required for olfactory neuron development, we characterized in vivo the role of the neurotrophins in the primary olfactory system. For this, we generated mutant mice for TrkA, TrkB, TrkC, and also for BDNF and NT3 together with P2-IRES-tau-LacZ trangenic mice. Histochemical staining for beta-galactosidase at birth allowed in vivo analysis of the P2 subpopulation of olfactory neurons as well as their projections to the olfactory bulb. Our data indicate that Trk signaling is not required for normal embryonic development of the olfactory system.     

CDDO-Me Redirects Activation of Breast Tumor Associated Macrophages

Tumor-associated macrophages can account for up to 50% of the tumor mass in breast cancer patients and high TAM density is associated with poor clinical prognosis. Because TAMs enhance tumor growth, development, and metastatic potential, redirection of TAM activation may have significant therapeutic benefit. Our studies in primary human macrophages and murine breast TAMs suggest that the synthetic oleanane triterpenoid CDDO-methyl ester (CDDO-Me) reprograms the activation profile of TAMs from tumor-promoting to tumor-inhibiting. We show that CDDO-Me treatment inhibits expression of IL-10 and VEGF in stimulated human M2 macrophages and TAMs but increases expression of TNF-α and IL-6. Surface expression of CD206 and CD163, which are characteristic of M2 activation, is significantly attenuated by CDDO-Me. In contrast, CDDO-Me up-regulates surface expression of HLA-DR and CD80, which are markers of M1 activation, and importantly potentiates macrophage activation of autologous T cells but inhibits endothelial cell vascularization. These results show for the first time that CDDO-Me redirects activation of M2 macrophages and TAMs from immune-suppressive to immune-stimulatory, and implicate a role for CDDO-Me as an immunotherapeutic in the treatment of breast and potentially other types of cancer.     

Design and synthesis of 3,7-diarylimidazopyridines as inhibitors of the VEGF-receptor KDR

3,7-Diarylsubstituted imidazopyridines were designed and developed as a new class of KDR kinase inhibitors. A variety of imidazopyridines were synthesized and potent inhibitors of KDR kinase activity were identified with good aqueous solubility.     

Structure of the Methanococcus jannaschii mevalonate kinase, a member of the GHMP kinase superfamily.

The mevalonate-dependent pathway is used by many organisms to synthesize isopentenyl pyrophosphate, the building block for the biosynthesis of many biologically important compounds, including farnesyl pyrophosphate, dolichol, and many sterols. Mevalonate kinase (MVK) catalyzes a critical phosphoryl transfer step, producing mevalonate 5'-phosphate. The crystal structure of thermostable MVK from Methanococcus jannaschii has been determined at 2.4 A, revealing an overall fold similar to the homoserine kinase from M. jannaschii. In addition, the enzyme shows structural similarity with mevalonate 5-diphosphate decarboxylase and domain IV of elongation factor G. The active site of MVK is in the cleft between its N- and C-terminal domains. Several structural motifs conserved among species, including a phosphate-binding loop, have been found in this cavity. Asp(155), an invariant residue among MVK sequences, is located close to the putative phosphate-binding site and has been assumed to play the catalytic role. Analysis of the MVK model in the context of the other members of the GHMP kinase family offers the opportunity to understand both the mechanism of these enzymes and the structural details that may lead to the design of novel drugs.     

Scavenging or Hunting in Early Hominids: Theoretical Framework and Tests

Evidence from Bed I, Olduvai, supports the hypothesis that scavenging, not hunting, was the major meat-procurement strategy of hominids between 2 and 1.7 million years ago. Data used to evaluate the hunting and scavenging hypotheses are derived from studying cut marks on Bed I bovids, comparing adaptations necessary for scavenging with those of early hominids, and a pa-leoecological reconstruction of Bed I carcass biotnass, carnivore guild, and hominidforaging area.     

Characterization of the linker 2 region in human vimentin using site-directed spin labeling and electron paramagnetic resonance

Site-directed spin labeling and electron paramagnetic resonance were used to probe residues 281-304 of human vimentin, a region that has been predicted to be a non-alpha-helical linker and the beginning of coiled-coil domain 2B. Though no direct test of linker structure has ever been made, this region has been hypothesized to be flexible with the polypeptide chains looping away from one another. EPR analysis of spin-labeled mutants indicates that (a) several residues reside in close proximity, suggesting that adjacent linker regions in a dimer run in parallel, and that (b) the polypeptide backbone is relatively rigid and inflexible in this region. However, this region does not show the characteristics of a coiled-coil as has been identified elsewhere in the molecule. Within this region, spectra from positions 283 and 291 are unique from all others thus far examined. These positions, predicted to be in a noncoiled-coil structure, display a significantly stronger interaction than the a-d contact positions of coiled-coil regions. Analysis of the early stages of assembly by dialysis from 8 M urea and progressive thermal denaturation shows the close apposition and structural rigidity at residues 283 and 291 occurs very early in assembly and with a relatively sudden onset, well before coiled-coil formation in other parts of the molecule. These features are inconsistent with hypotheses that envision the linkers as flexible regions, or as looping away from one another, and raise the possibility that the linker may be the site at which dimer alignment and/or formation is initiated. Spin labels placed further downstream yield spectra suggesting that the first regular heptad of rod domain 2 begins at position 302. In conjunction with our previous characterization of region 305-336 and the solved structure of rod 2B from 328-405, the full extent of coiled-coil domain in rod 2B is now known, spanning from vimentin positions 302-405.